THEY'RE loud, lairy and pushing 30. Age, marriage and motherhood doesn't seem to have mellowed the legion of Take That fans - if anything, it has made them crazier.

Downing alcopops and dressed to the nines tonight, they're out en masse to see their idols - and recapture the spirit of teenage years spent lusting after Gary Barlow, Mark Owen, Jason Orange, Robbie Williams and Howard Donald.

It has been a decade since the "ultimate boy band" split following Robbie's rancorous departure. Their legacy of eight No.1 hits - including Babe, Relight My Fire and Back For Good - and 10million album sales means they will always command a place in both the UK record books and the hearts of millions of fans.

So the schoolgirls who once cried over their lyrics and screamed through their concerts have grown up, loyally, they've never forgotten their childhood heroes.

So when the band finally decided to reunite - without superstar Robbie - for what has become a 32-date UK tour, the response was overwhelming. And the Daily Mirror decided to join the 14,000 not-so-young TT Army as their sellout tour continues across the UK.

Like the "boys" themselves - average age now 35, four kids and another on the way between them - these days the women might be more Mum's Army than teeny-boppers but you can't fault their enthusiasm.

"I used to be a huge fan," says one breathless 24-year-old. "And, if I'm honest, I never stopped loving them..."

Tottering towards the MEN Arena in stilettos, pink cowboy hats and customised tops, it looks like the world's biggest - and most Bacardi Breezer-fuelled - hen night.

As one lone taxi driver says before beating a hasty retreat: "I've never seen so many women..."

Mother, daughter and aunt team, Liz Benyon, 42, Jan, 49, and 19-year-old Amy Bonney, all of St Helens are in the thick of the throng and have realised their long-cherished dream of seeing their idols.

"I was always a huge fan," says Liz, who works in a medical centre. "I loved Mark, I thought he was gorgeous.

"I might be older now but I still feel young at heart - as I'm sure they do."

INDEED, the band worked long and hard to recapture their youthful vigour.

They've also been stunned by the reaction they've received after such a long absence and are recording a new album.

Tickets for the shows sold out within six hours - some later went on eBay for #500 - and the number of dates doubled.

"We're all in shock," says Gary Barlow. "We always knew that our fans were great but the response to the tour has been overwhelming. We're so grateful for their loyalty and support."

Back outside the venue, Aimee Burns, 25, from Cheadle, Cheshire, is wondering whether she'll be making a little bit of history tonight.

She is just three weeks away from becoming a mum and sports a TT T-shirt asking Who's The Daddy?

As she says: "Maybe I'll give birth tonight - it will be the first Take That baby."

Her friend Carina Longinotti, 20, tells me seriously: "I'm Howard's wife. No, I am. Even though he has two kids now, I'm happy to take him on."

While Howard and the boys are shimmying into their first outfits backstage - frilly shirts with frock-style coats - Amanda Brandariz, 24, a sales manager, and her 20-year-old sister Jo, a student, are readjusting their Take Thatthemed outfits, too.

They've travelled from New Moston, near Oldham, with their mate Sarah Clark, 23, for the gig. Their TT earrings, T-shirts, scarves and even tattoos were "found at the back of a cupboard" according to Amanda.

"Back in the old days, we used to hang around where they live," she adds. "We were obsessed. I'd send my sister to Howard's door to see if he was playing out. Not surprisingly, he never was.

"I've seen them loads of times but this is really special - because it's the one we thought would never happen and because... we can drink beer!"

Nicky Tinsley, a 24-year-old mother-of-one, is also loving every minute of it. "I feel 14 again," she screams. "Actually," she laughs, "this is better than when I was 14 - I've waited years for this."

Here with her friend Nat White, 26 - both workers at the Halifax - she laughs: "I still have all my posters and, even though I'm married, I still love Mark Owen."

Despite already being weighed down with TT paraphernalia, it seems these devotees just can't get enough.

Stalls at the gig are doing a roaring trade in all manner of items, including TT-endorsed pants bearing saucy slogans such as It Only Takes A Minute and How Deep Is Your Love?

ONCE they've loaded up with goodies, the hordes swarm into the hall, clutching those precious tickets.

Reaching deep into a Primark bag, 18-year-old Leah Baker - another "No.1 fan" - whips out a leopard-skin thong and waves it in the air.

"I've waited 10 years to do this," she screeches. "I'm gonna flick these at Gary. He'll love it.

Leah's friend Hannah Christie, 18, also flings her pants over her head and yells: "Take That rock! Come onnnnnn!!"

And when the lights dim and boys finally appear for what turns out to be a two hour set - with Robbie as a hologram - the screams of women who have travelled from as far afield as Holland are deafening.

Mum-of-one Anna Watson, 35, sums it all up. "I'm so, so pleased to be here. I've always been a fan.

"Some of us are mad," she adds. "I remember grabbing Robbie's finger at a concert once. I wouldn't let go.